Pian upe is one of the largest reserves approximately 2800 sq. km making it one of the biggest wildlife reserves and second to Murchison falls. This large conservation area is in the Karamoja sub-region of northeastern Uganda neighboring mount Elgon national park and kidepo national park. In 1958 the southern part of the reserve was gazetted as Dabasien Animal Sanctuary by a government-led project to convert land south of River Girik meant for agriculture into a wildlife conservation and in 1964, the area was expanded northward and was renamed Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve. Pian upe is not only a game reserve but a habitant for the rare extinct species. The reserve also composed of hot springs at mount kadam, wooded grassland, river line and un touched grass land.
Pian Upe is an outstanding reserve with various mammal species which include antelopes, giraffes, elephants, lions, Jackals, hyenas, leopards, Zebras, buffaloes, topi, dik dik, Uganda kob, water back, aardvark, mountain reed buck and with luck you will also be able to spot cheetahs.
Besides wild life, pian upe is home to various primates including velvet monkeys, baboon’s ad patas monkeys. Pian Upe is also shelters several reptiles like the rock pythons and Savannah monitors, water snakes, chameleon and geckos.
The reserve is also a birders haven with over 242 bird species including the white-headed buffalo weaver, the rare ostrich, Jackson’s hornbill, great hartlaubs bustard. These birds can best be viewed in a swamp called Loporokocho.
Just like any other national park pian upe is not exceptional you will enjoy various activities from wild life viewing, community visit where one can have experience with the locals.
The best time to go on a wildlife safari to Pian Upe is in the month during dry season in the month when there are clear views and animals usually gather at the water source which makes it easy for viewing. The rainy season makes road impassable which is the main challenge especially in the month of April and October.
Getting there
Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is in the north east along Mbale-Moroto road which covering a distance of about 90 kilometers from Mbale and 11 kilometers north of the wildlife reserve’s Northern boundary and a total of 314 km from Kampala about 6-hour drive by road.
Accommodation
Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is remarkable protected area in Uganda that offers tourists with amazing wildlife safari experiences. The reserve accommodates nearly all travel needs; once you are a trip in Uganda, never miss to enjoy fantastic birding and wildlife safari experiences that this remarkable wildlife reserve holds for the world. There lots of accommodation facilities including the Uganda wildlife bandas and camping safaris.
